In this episode, Patrick Casale speaks with Erica Smith about creating equitable and accessible workplaces in private practice. Erica shares candid, real-life stories of navigating the mental health field as someone living with chronic illness, and discusses the imperative of designing work environments that are truly supportive and accessible.

Top 3 takeaways:

1. Accessibility Goes Beyond Ramps: It means considering everything from office seating and safe, convenient entryways to virtual work options and clear communication about what your space does (and doesn't) offer.
2. Culture Starts with Transparency: Erica models being upfront with staff and clients about values, policies, and decision-making—including the challenges and financial realities of running an equitable group practice.
3. Intentionality Drives Inclusion: From pronouns on the website to supporting community initiatives and hosting know-your-rights cards in the lobby, every detail signals who you want to welcome and support in your practice.

More about Erica

Erica, a North Carolina native and clinical social worker, specializes in trauma, particularly interpersonal violence, racial trauma, and chronic/invisible illness, drawn from her personal experiences. She was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and then Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) at age 12 in 2003—also the year she experienced the sudden loss of her father—followed by Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) later in life. These events spurred her desire to help others, leading to international volunteering, non-profit work, and over 10 years as a therapist. Navigating chronic illness and being a Black woman taught her strategies to adapt and advocate. She now leads Whole Mentality, a Raleigh-based group practice focused on accessible and affirming mental health services.

• From Solo to Collective: Leading an Equitable Therapy Practice - for group practice consultation: itsericakendra.com/consultation
• Website: wholementality.com
• Social media: @wholementality and @itsericakenddra

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In this episode, Patrick Casale and Nicole McCance talk about her proven 5-step method for scaling a group practice—perfect for anyone feeling stuck at an income ceiling, burned out, or simply wondering what the next level looks like for their private practice.

3 Key Takeaways:

1. Systemize First, Hire Second: Before you build your team, get everything out of your head and document your systems. As Nicole says, if you don't systemize before hiring, you'll end up as the "chief question answerer"—not a true CEO.
2. Marketing Matters—But Do It Right: Digital marketing (especially Google Ads) is essential, but make sure your website and ads are synced, specialty pages are clear, and hire experts when needed. Don’t waste money on marketing that doesn’t connect.
3. Retention is Your Secret Weapon: Booking clients for multiple sessions and following up consistently (even after no-shows or cancellations) can increase your sessions by up to 20%. Simple steps = big impact.

Whether you're dreaming of scaling, preparing your practice as an asset, or just want more freedom as an owner, Nicole’s guidance offers a fresh roadmap using practical strategies.

More about Nicole:

Nicole is a Psychologist (retired) turned Business Coach for therapists scaling to a group practice. She expanded her private practice to 55 therapists and multiple 7 figures in 3 years (with toddler twins at home). Nicole sold her clinic in the 4th year and then retired as a Psychologist in her 5th year. She now teaches therapists how to help more people, make more money, and have more freedom following her proven method. The McCance Method: mccancemethod.com

Social Media

• Instagram: instagram.com/nicole.mccancemethod
• Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/947689352498639
• Podcast: mccancemethod.com/podcast

Sign up Nicole’s FREE Masterclass: How to Build a 7-Figure Group Practice → mccancemethod.com/webinar-free-masterclass-from-solo-to-superteam

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In this episode, I talk with Rachel Murdock, a burnout prevention specialist, group practice owner, and former FBI employee who bravely walked away from a "golden handcuffs" career to reclaim her well-being and design a life on her own terms. Her story is an empowering reminder that sometimes betting on yourself is the best investment you can make.

Here are 3 key takeaways:

1. Burnout isn’t just about workload—culture matters. Toxic organizational structures, lack of boundaries, and constant demand can erode even the most passionate professionals. Sometimes, the hardest part isn’t the job itself, but the noise of the system you're in.
2. Permission to pause can change everything. Rachel emphasizes that we’re at our best when we step back, take breaks, and intentionally reset. Small, regular pauses (even just 15 minutes!) help rejuvenate your nervous system and protect your long-term health.
3. Your impact is meaningful, but your well-being matters more. Organizations will survive when you move on. Choosing yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary. There’s power in letting go of the idea that you have to sacrifice your own needs for the mission.

If you’re feeling stuck, burnt out, or scared to make a change, Rachel’s journey proves you can honor your passion, set boundaries, and thrive beyond traditional structures.

More about Rachel:

Rachel Murdock, MS, LPC, LCPC, is the owner/clinician providing mental health counseling in private practice with Beyond the Storm Behavioral Health, LLC. She is a licensed counselor in Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa, and supervises clinicians obtaining licensure in Missouri and Kansas. Her practice specializes in mental health counseling for first responders and individuals experiencing anxiety, mood disorders, or post-traumatic stress, and survivors of abuse.

Rachel does wellness checks for various first responder agencies to promote psychological resilience, psychoeducation about trauma and coping skills, and provide resources and referrals as part of a statutory mandate in Missouri (590.192), requiring all sworn peace officers and dispatch personnel to meet with a program service provider every three to five years.

Prior to January 2023, Rachel was a Supervisory Child/Adolescent Forensic Interviewer (SCAFI) with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Victim Services Division, Child Victim Services Unit, and held this position for seven months prior to her resignation, which led to her reopening her private practice. From November 4, 2012, to July 3, 2022, she was a Child/Adolescent Forensic Interviewer (CAFI) in the same unit. Prior to joining the FBI, Rachel was a forensic interviewer at The Child Advocacy Center, Inc., in Springfield, Missouri.

During her career as a forensic interviewer, Rachel conducted almost 3,000 forensic interviews of alleged victims of/or witnesses to an incident. Rachel has studied forensic interviewing, children’s memory and suggestibility, process of disclosure, and trauma responses of victims for over 20 years.

Rachel has published on topics such as definitions of child abuse and neglect, the disclosure process in child abuse victims/witnesses, forensic child psychology, dynamics of compliant victimization, internet exploitation, suggestibility, and trauma. Her manuscripts all appear in peer-reviewed journals or book chapters, and Rachel has presented locally, nationally, and internationally about these topics since 2006.

Rachel has testified in state and federal hearings and trials during her career as a fact and/or expert witness.

Rachel is a faculty member with Avila University’s Graduate Counseling Psychology program and an adjunct faculty member Missouri State University’s Department of Psychology, where she created a course, Psychology of Child Abuse and Exploitation, and co-authored a textbook regarding issues of...